Series: Outta My Mind
Topic: Part 2—Why Am I So Depressed
Speaker: Scotty Priest, Lead Pastor
Date: September 18, 2022
1 Kings 19:1-4
1 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” 3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life;
1. In this verse, we find Elijah in a desperate place as he cries out to the Lord. He is running for his life and afraid. Prior to this, he had just witnessed a miracle in 1 Kings 18:16-46, and now he is in a very dark time. As you read this can you relate with Elijah? Have you faced a difficult situation or season of life – desperate for God to show up?
2. We talked through 5 steps to a way out during the sermon – not the answer, but as part of a process.
- Step into a needed recovery – Care for yourself
- Step into an encounter with God – Cry out to God
- Step into my true identity – What does God say about you?
- Step into a new assignment – What is God calling you to today?
- Step into relationships – Who knows your struggles?
Even when we are not in the darkest of times, these steps are necessary for staying healthy. Every day I have to remind myself of what God says about me, it is easy to get swept up in the lies all around me. It even helps me to write out and memorize verses that are true against those specific lies. What is one ‘step’ you can take this week and share that with your group or someone in your life.
3. Who could you call if you were struggling? Or said another way, who in your life knows your struggle and could say “That’s me” with you? This passage was the last time that Elijah was alone. The tool of the enemy in spiritual warfare is to isolate us which assassinates our hope. Having trusted others around us, so we’re not alone, allows us to keep our hope, joy, and proper perspective.